Stars and Stripes Honor Flight: A Day Spent With Heroes

Yesterday, as some of you know, I had the mind-blowing honor of accompanying my father, Robert Spaight – formerly Lt. Robert Spaight, United States 8th Air Force – on the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. Stars and Stripes Honor Flight’s mission is to fly WWII veterans – and terminally-ill veterans from other wars – to see their memorials in Washington, DC.

I’ve talked for years about wanting to take my Dad to see the WWII memorial (it was completed and opened in 2004). And it just seemed too logistically difficult to take an 88-year-old man who doesn’t get around that well to D.C. by myself. Which is why Honor Flight was started in the first place…because many other veterans and their families were feeling exactly the same way. Brilliant!

It wasn’t really about seeing the monuments, at least for my Dad: WWII, Vietnam, Korea, Iwo Jima, the Air Force Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery. Each a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by so many and moving in its own way.

In the end, it was about his handsome face beaming with a feeling of pure, unadulterated pride that I have never, EVER seen before.

When we landed in D.C. and arrived to a number of families, including some military families, lots of children, and others, he lit up like a rock star. And when we arrived back home in Milwaukee and stepped off the plane into a long line of servicemen and women saluting him, bagpipers piping, and uproarious applause, I lost it completely while he just got an incredible burst of energy and swelled with visible pride like a soldier 60-years younger. He was standing taller. “Look at his face.” said Mark, our incredible bus captain and Honor Flight SE Wisconsin board member. I did, and I lost it even harder. He finally knew…he finally FELT how much he is loved and respected.

“Sir, would you like a wheelchair?” said the volunteer who met him at the gate. “NO.” said my Dad, and he marched right on through that airport, waving, shaking hands, kissing and flirting with the ladies (pretty much what he did most of the day), hugging family members and strangers alike. Oh, and giving his favorite joke response to “Thank you for your service”: “I’ll be sending you a bill. Freedom isn’t free, you know.” Yep. That’s my Dad. And I couldn’t be prouder.

Here are a few photos of the day (click on the icon of the four arrows lower right to view full screen, way better.)(ah hell the embed is FLASH so won’t work on iPhone/iPad. Total fail. Sorry ’bout that.)

Beyond my Dad, it was a powerful, very humbling experience to spend a full day around this many heroes. These are men and women who SET PEOPLE FREE, which tends to put things into perspective. While there wasn’t as much time for the veterans to share stories with each as I think most would have liked, my Dad did run into a couple of other guys from the 8th Air Force, which meant the world to him. (I wonder… if Honor Flight created some sort of ultra-simple-to-use online forum for these guys to stay in touch after the flight, would they use it?)

While the emotions of the day run high, they are almost overpowered by sheer awe at the logistical accomplishments. Imagine getting 224 octogenarians and their ‘guardians’ checked in, through special security, photographed, fed, boarded, flown, escorted through a whirlwind tour of the nation’s capitol and safely back in time for a stunning display of community love and affection the same evening. NOT an easy feat, but somehow they make it feel like it is. I cannot emphasize strongly enough how ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE this organization is. The board and staff – 100% volunteer – has logistics that put most much-larger organizations to shame and hearts of pure gold, which is a pretty stunning combination.

Honor Flight is the perfect example of how the vision of an individual and the shared passion of many individuals coming together can impact the lives of thousands and thousands of people. My gratitude for their commitment, their hard work and their spirit is inexpressible. Dear Honor Flight founders and staff: THANK YOU. From the bottom of our hearts. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. You gave us an experience together that we will never forget.

If you want to know more about Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, read their backstory. If you know a WWII veteran who hasn’t gone yet, strongly encourage them to apply. The waiting time is getting shorter (sadly, because 1,000 WWII veterans die each day). If you have the means, make a donation. You can also apply to be a guardian, traveling with a veteran who needs someone, which requires a $500 donation which falls far short of what it is worth. And you can apply to be an Honor Flight volunteer. If the fact that sometimes there is a waiting list even to be a volunteer doesn’t tell you how spectacular this organization is, well I don’t know what will.

You can also just show up at the airport next time an Honor Flight comes in (there are hubs all over the country!), experience it yourself, and give the Greatest Generation some love. I promise you, it will be time VERY well spent.

Or, if you’re in or near the Milwaukee area, you can go to the Honor Flight Field of Honor event at Miller Park, August 11. They will be premiering their documentary film about Honor Flight, which is sure to be incredible.

You can also follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook to hear more of the story.

Do you know anyone who has done Stars and Stripes Honor Flight? What was their experience like?

  • http://JimRaffel.com/ Jim Raffel

    Sue – So glad your Dad got to experience the memorial with you. Just awesome :)

    • Sue Spaight

      Thank you, Jim. I am so grateful. And am also grateful to your Dad for HIS service.

  • Jms021117

    Awesome. Both your experience and your gift of putting it into words….We took our kids to the airport to see an honor flight come home that my husband’s company helps fund. It was an amazing experience. Cried then, and am crying now. Thank God for our veterans. My youngest even wore a full suit to the event. He thought is was fitting. And, so do I. So glad you and your dad had the privilege to go together, may you both remember it always. And, may he go the rest of his life knowing how much all of us free Americans appreciate what he and so many others have done for us….

    • Sue Spaight

      That is awesome, that your son wore a suit. The lengths that people go to for these veterans are amazing, and, yes, 100% appropriate and deserved. Thanks for giving our veterans that love!!! And thank you for your kind words – I do really think this will make some difference in how my Dad feels the rest of his life. He said today: “I waited 67 years for what I felt last night.” : ]

  • MarySpaight4

    Sue,
    Your Dad stopped by on Thursday, and he was looking forward to the trip, but he downplayed how truly important I think it was to him. As we sat and talked, I was again struck by how wonderful a guy he is and the great qualities that so few these days seem to possess – integrity, humility, personality plus, charisma (ask any woman in Florida or Southeastern Wisconsin ; )), generosity of spirit, the list goes on and on. He has the kind of quiet dignity that all the greats have. He takes such pleasure in those he meets, and it aways makes me think that there is too little of that in today’s hectic life pace.
    He’s so wonderful to us and our children, and such a joy to be around. He has made me a true believer that age really is just a number.

    My father-in-law also had the opportunity of a lifetime yesterday. To be able to greet his brother as he arrived home from the Honor Flight was something that he said he couldn’t describe. He was still misty eyed this morning as he talked about it for a moment before they headed back home. My children and husband said it was one of the most amazing spectacles they had ever seen, the sheer number of people who came out and the tangible love, respect and pride in the atmosphere.

    Uncle Bob is one of a kind, and we love the hell out of him. I’m so glad he could do this, and I’m so glad you could share it with him.

    • Sue Spaight

      Mary, that is wonderful. I know that John being there meant everything to my Dad as well. And I’m glad to hear that John, Jim and the kids enjoyed it too. Thank you for loving my Dad. He has some female fans in Washington D.C. now, too. : ]

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Rachel-Malkuch/504866804 Rachel Malkuch

    Thank you for sharing this amazing story with us. I wish I was able to take my grandfather to D.C. to do this, but he passed on before the memorial was built. I do hope to get there, someday, to honor his service.

    • Sue Spaight

      Rachel, thank you so much. I really wish that you and your grandfather had been able to go too. And I hope that you get to go in his honor.

      Sue

  • Brad S

    How could I ever bother reading a work-related post after reading this? THX.

  • Kathy (Krause) Fox

    Sue, you were a few years behind me in school. My dad also did the Honor Flight in May 2010. My sisters and I surprised him out in DC that day. Would be willing to share more with you, if you’d like. :)

    • Sue Spaight

      Sure, Kathy, I’d love to hear about it. Send me a message through this blog, or friend me on the Facebook? Thanks!

  • Ron B

    Very well said. My wife’s grandfather was also on this trip …we came and welcomed them home, and as the first veteran came into view, I almost lost it. I am so honored to have know men and women from this generation, they are our national treasure and the world is going to be a different, sadder place without them.

    • Sue Spaight

      Also very well said, Ron. It feels like the nation is waking up and realizing what we are losing. A national treasure indeed.

  • Pam J

    My husband was a guardian yesterday. His vet was a man he hadn’t met until the week before the flight–a man who already has become a dear friend. He was a Ranger in the first wave of the troops who landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day. The homecoming last night was spectacular! I believe I saw you (because I was standing across from the sign honoring your dad), and I saw how incredibly moved you were by the whole experience. Thanks for honoring your dad!

    • Sue Spaight

      Pam, WOW. It is incredible the kind of friendships that some of the guardians and veterans who are not related form, isn’t it? What an incredible soldier your husband got to spend the day with. !!! I hope he was as moved by the experience as I was. I saw a Vietnam veteran crying as well and that was…also wow. I went over and paid my respects to him. I can only imagine what he must have been feeling…

      • Pam J

        Thank you for taking the time to talk to a Vietnam vet–my husband is one! Maybe some day we will be honoring those dear people as well.

        • suespaight

          I certainly hope so, Pam. I certainly hope so.

  • Annmfrank

    Thank you for sharing this very moving account, I have been fortunate to see one great uncle come home, and my dad be a guardian for a neighbor. Another great uncle went from another city. My one uncle led a very colorful and accomplished life and what stuck me was I heard him say several times this was the BEST day of his life! So glad he got to experience it, as you did with your dad.

  • Susie333

    as another said, thanks for sharing your experience through your gift of words of this awesome privilege of being a guardian. i accompanied my 87 yr old dad last november for a picture perfect day! you captured the day wonderfully! i lost it just getting to the airport reception by complete strangers in DC. and then again at the pin-dropping silence when we first arrived back to MKE to the honor guard, then bagpipes, and thunderous welcome by 1000s of friends and family, makes the entire day as special as my first grandchild being born a few weeks ago. i flew in from tucson to be with my dad. and like your dad he refused a wheelchair the entire day. despite his macular degeneration, he was thanking and encouraging the active service men and women, and shaking hands of the multitudes of little children who put out their hands. priceless. thanks again for capturing the day perfectly!

    • Sue Spaight

      Susie, thank you so much. I feel like it was such a powerful day that it is really impossible to capture, but I’m really glad to hear you feel like it comes close. : ] I’m so glad you and your Dad also got to have this experience! And congratulations on your new grand baby!

  • Luielulu39

    If and when I get to take my Father on this incredable journey…. I only wish I could tell the word , the way you have! THANK YOU

    • Janfergy

      Apply now! The waiting list (unfortunately) is shorter. If you apply now, there’s a good chance you could be on one of the fall flights.

    • Sue Spaight

      Thank you! I so hope you get to take your Dad!!!!!

  • Janfergy

    This organization is truly amazing. I’m so glad you enjoyed it as much as your father. My dad went on the November 2010 flight. He said it was one of the best days he’d ever had.

    We’ve already got our tickets for the Field of Honor at Miller Park. I heard they were still filming on Saturdays flight. This documentary is getting bigger and bigger all the time.

  • BrianUSO

    Sue, thanks for this description of your day with your dad here in DC. Through my affiliation with the USO, I help greet Honor Flights – I’ve participated in about 15-20 arrivals at Dulles so far. I was there on Saturday for your father’s flight. The experience for me is always extraordinary, and I’ve noticed that, while it’s difficult for me to keep back tears sometimes, and undoubtedly some veterans also shed a tear, it’s the guardians that I’ve found have the hardest time holding back. I’ve assumed it’s because many of them are relatives of the veteran they’re escorting and that they appreciate the welcome their parent or relative is experiencing. Reading your blog here confirms that for me – I can definitely hear the pride and love and appreciation for your dad and what the day does for him and all the other vets and seeing how he responds to it. Thanks for sharing your experience, it’s really great to hear the inside emotions of what the day brought to you and your dad. And I’m looking forward to seeing the premier of the “Stars and Stripes” documentary in Milwaukee!

    • Sue Spaight

      Brian, thank you so much for your kind words and for being there for the Veterans and their guardians on so many arrivals! I knew about the Homecoming in Milwaukee, but the welcome in D.C. came as a wonderful surprise. Yes, the reason this was so emotional for me as a guardian was indeed immense appreciation and gratitude for the love being shown to my Dad. Seeing others love and respect him as much as I do was just an unbelievable feeling. Thanks again!!!

  • Ted Perry

    Sue,
    I had so much fun watching these great guys when I went in October. Your blog brought me back and made it so much more personal because it was your dad. So glad you could experience it together.

    • Sue Spaight

      Thank you, Ted! Any time you end a day feeling like your life is richer because you spent the day with the people that you did, that’s a gift. This was most definitely one of those days. Really glad that you got to experience it as well!

      Sue

  • Mark Grams

    Sue!!! Wow, I don’t know how many times I’ve said “I can’t describe the experience in words, you have to get involved yourself”, but you did a pretty darn good job putting it in words. It’s even difficult typing through the watery eyes (damn the pollen). You know the tough old Gunnery Sergeant can’t admit how much it touches the heart.
    Thank you so much for spreading the word about the program. I never get tired of seeing the faces of the WWII veterans, the guardians and those in the crowd as the parade proceeds in Milwaukee and DC. It was great to have you and your dad along. Hope to see you Aug 11. Your bus captain, Mark.

    • suespaight

      Mark, thank you, this made my day. : ] You, sir, are an incredibly inspiring person to be around. Honestly, no B.S. involved here. You just exude this incredible positive, joyous energy. YOUR face in the airport when you saw me tearing up with joy for my Dad was priceless. I’ll never forget that moment. We’ll definitely be there on August 11 and I’ll keep spreading the word about the program and that great event! THANK YOU again for everything you all did for me and my Dad and all the others. -Sue

  • Jean S

    Sue: what a lovely recap of the day’s events for you, your family and most of all your father. I’ve been to many a homecoming ceremony at MKE, each one bigger and better than the previous (which seems impossible). I’ve been to DC, seen the WWII memorial and just never realized how many of the greatest generation have not had the opportunity to see it. Bless Stars & Stripes all over the nation for their mission; our Wisconsin branch ROCKS! I’ve always been so touched at the young children at the airport that reach out to shake their hands as the vets come through the line-those youngsters seems to put that extra sparkle in the vets eyes. I tell everyone “bring kleenex” and “you need to go to a homecoming, whether you know someone or not on the flight – you’ll get more out of it than you can possibly imagine”. How I’d love to see the other end of it – the warm welcome they get during their special “day” in D.C. I’ll be helping out with the event at Miller Park later this summer, hoping to shake some more hands of those wonderful WWII vets!

    • suespaight

      Jean, yes, Bless Stars and Stripes all over the nation absolutely. And YES – the children are amazing – their little faces look so earnest and almost awestruck. And you can tell that their parents have talked to them about why they should honor the veterans, which is AWESOME. It’s so important that that generation internalizes some of the values of the Greatest one. Thank you for going to the homecomings – it sounds like you may be a Stars and Stripes volunteer? Either way, bless YOU for all you do!!!